Is Your Home Hiding a Secret Predator?
Imagine walking into a dark room, turning on the light, and seeing something hurtling across the floor faster than your eyes can follow.
It freezes for a moment, its long striped body and countless legs straightened as if beckoning you to come closer. Your heart skips a beat and you instinctively reach for the nearest weapon – a shoe, a book, anything to crush this creepy intruder.
But what if this seemingly sinister intruder isn’t an enemy at all? What if it’s quietly working to protect your home from more harmful pests? Meet the house centipede, an unexpected ally lurking in the shadows.
Finding a house centipede is its own brand of terror. It doesn’t matter if he’s running across the floor, peeking from behind a door, or appearing in a closet. These little monsters have 15 pairs of legs and can travel at a speed of 1.3 feet per second. It’s no wonder why most people are afraid of these creatures, and why the typical response to finding such a creature involves a shoe or a rolled-up magazine. But don’t slap them just yet; indoor centipedes can really benefit you and your home.
Encountering a house centipede can be a nerve-wracking experience. Whether they’re scuttling across the floor, peeking out from behind a door, or climbing out of a closet, these creatures strike fear into many with their 15 pairs of legs and the ability to move at speeds of up to 1.3 feet per second. Understandably, most people’s first instinct is to reach for a shoe or a magazine to deal with them. But before you take action, consider this: indoor centipedes can actually benefit your home.
Why you shouldn’t kill centipedes
Although their appearance may not win them any fans, house centipedes are completely harmless to humans. While they may not be welcome guests, they serve as natural pest controllers, targeting and eliminating less desirable insects.
These centipedes feed on a variety of household pests, including termites, cockroaches, spiders, silverfish, moths, carpet beetles, and flies. They use their legs to “lasso” their prey and inject venom into the front legs to immobilize it. Although their name suggests they have hundreds of legs, house centipedes only have 15 pairs. Their yellow-grey bodies are marked with dark stripes and are most active at night when they hunt.
Although rare, house centipedes can bite humans if they are handled or stepped on with bare feet. Such bites are generally painful like bee stings and should be treated by cleaning the wound, applying an antiseptic, and applying ice to reduce swelling.
House centipedes do not build nests or webs, unlike other pests, so they are relatively tidy compared to other insects. They do not transmit disease or damage furniture or clothing. Their only purpose in your home is to hunt other pests.
Why are house centipedes in your home?
House centipedes often venture indoors to escape cold or harsh weather and are attracted to areas of high humidity. This makes damp basements, leaky sinks, or other damp environments ideal places for them. To prevent them from becoming established, it is important to address these conditions and remove their food source – the pests they prey on.
Steps to get rid of house centipedes
1. Moisture control:
• Use a dehumidifier or install bathroom fans to reduce humidity.
• Inspect the walls and remove debris that may cause moisture to build up.
• Check for leaks under sinks and in basements and make sure drains are working properly.
2. Sealed entry points:
• Repair cracks and gaps around doors, windows and other openings, including areas where pipes and wires enter the home.
• Repair torn screens and maintain seals around doors and windows.
3. Eliminate other pests:
• Sweep away cobwebs and check for nests or infestations in crawl spaces and basements.
• Check the dryer vents to make sure they are properly sealed.
4. Take precautions:
• Place sticky traps in problem areas.
• Apply cedar wood sprays, vinegar, or baking soda to deter pests.
• Sprinkle diatomaceous earth into cracks, corners, and damp areas and leave for 24 hours before vacuuming.
5. Treat individual centipedes correctly:
• Avoid crushing them, it could leave stains.
• Remove the centipedes with a vacuum cleaner, empty the contents into a sealed bag and throw it away.
6. In the event of an attack, seek professional help:
• Use insecticide sprays or powders as needed, follow safety instructions.
• If the infestation persists, consult a professional exterminator.
While house centipedes are not harmful and can even help control other pests, most people understandably don’t want them hanging around. By addressing moisture, sealing entry points, and eliminating other pests, you can reduce the likelihood of these many-legged creatures setting up camp in your home.
In conclusion, while house centipedes may not be the most pleasant houseguests, their presence can serve a greater purpose by helping to control more harmful pests in your home. These nimble and powerful predators are harmless to humans and do not cause structural damage or spread disease, making them a surprisingly beneficial addition to your home ecosystem.
However, if their unsettling appearance or sheer speed makes them unwelcome, effective ways to prevent their presence are by managing humidity levels, sealing entry points, and dealing with other pest problems. By taking these steps, you can keep your home pest-free while appreciating the unique role that house centipedes play in keeping unwanted creatures at bay.